Recently purchased a new or used unlocked GSM phone? You might need to change some settings before your phone will work with your preferred network. Adding the correct APN settings might do the trick if you are unable to use the internet, data, MMS, etc.

I will walk you through how to set up the APN settings on Android. If you have a Windows Phone or iPhone scroll to the bottom for helpful information. Some settings might vary from phone to phone but generally this will be the path to follow.

Start by finding your Android’s main settings. (Usually found in your app list or in your notification drop down menu).

Select Wireless & Networks, go to Mobile Networks. In some cases you might need to go More Settings to find this option.

Tap on Access Point Names (hint: APN)

Press menu button or look for a menu option and then select New APN.

You will be presented with a list of information to fill in. Use the proper information we provide below or contact your carrier to find this information.

After you finished entering all the settings, press menu again if necessary and then Save.

Provided below are the APN settings for AT&T and T-Mobile. If you see a blank field this means you leave the field to “not set.” Also remember that you might not need to enter all the information if your phone already has the proper information.

If your phone already has the information filled in and you still have issues then try following these instructions to add a new APN with the correct settings below.

Windows Phone

Lookout, a leading cybersecurity firm suggests these tips to stay safe on your smartphone:

Set a pin or passcode. Don’t jump on the "no passcode" bandwagon like nearly 35 percent of people who say they excel in mobile privacy. Set a passcode on your phone. It’s your ﬁrst line of defense against prying eyes and thieves.

On public Wi-Fi, limit email, social networking and only window shop. Public Wi-Fi networks are everywhere, but security for these networks is scarce, making it relatively simple for hackers to snoop on your Internet activity. Take a note from the 25 percent of smartphone owners who never connect to open Wi-Fi.

The ﬁnal "s" is key. 1 in 5 smartphone users never bother to check whether a URL leads with "https" before visiting a website on mobile. When browsing the web on mobile, take the extra step once the page has fully loaded to make sure the URL you’re visiting leads with "https". This ensures that your connection is secure.

Clear your browsing history regularly. We found that 17 percent of people have never cleared their browsing and search history on their smartphone. Go above and beyond to protect your privacy if an unauthorized third-party ever gets hold of your device.

Use discretion when downloading apps and pay attention to the apps ratings and reviews. Ultimately, don’t be afraid to just say 'no'. If you’re uncomfortable with the info an app is accessing, don’t hesitate to stop installation or delete it. In fact, 56 percent of smartphone owners have decided against installing an app after reading the privacy or permissions statement.

If you’re not comfortable with broadcasting your location, turn Location Services oﬀ. Both Android and iOS phones have functionality that allows your location be broadcast to a number of services.

And last but not least, download a mobile security app, like Lookout, that checks for malware and spyware, ﬁghts against phone loss and theft, and notiﬁes you of the information apps on your phone are accessing.

I highly recommend looking into Lookout which provides an app on Android and iOS that adds an extra level of protection for your smartphone privacy needs.

To get the most out of your smartphone follow these 5 tips. Think you know everything? Then refer others who could benefit from these tips like your parents or your neighbor. So, let us get the most out of your smartphone regardless what model it is.

Back Up Your Photos

Photos are special to a lot of us so don’t leave them at risk by only manually backing them up. You can set your phone to automatically backup your photos online. You have many options but one of the best free options is Google Photos. You can backup unlimited photos as long as they are limited to 2048 pixels. Flickr also provides 1 TB of storage for high-resolution photos and videos. This is constantly changing for the better as other offerings try to outdo each other. This is a win for all smartphone users and another reason to save 50 to 100 dollars when deciding on your phone's storage size.

Organizing Your Homescreen

On iOS I like to create folders to organize some popular things I use. If I am an avid traveler I would organize all my travel apps together, same as I would for health based apps, or games. For Android we can organize things a bit differently. I like to have homescreens designed for different uses. I might have one homescreen with easy access to my social apps and another one with my most played games, and another one using music widgets to easily interact with my music.

Free Music Storage in the Cloud

Save even more money on internal storage by utilizing the cloud for music. You can store up to 20,000 songs for free using Google Play Music. Just download Google’s Music Manager Software. It is easy to use on all smartphones. If for some reason you need more space you can purchase a larger plan.

Don’t Turn Your Phone Off to Save Battery

Turning on and off hurts the battery. Look for power saving modes, some can extend the usage of the phone for an entire day on a low charged phone.

Keep it Locked

Don’t be the person with silly Facebook post by leaving your phone unlocked (or worst identity theft, banking info stolen etc.). While you're at it make sure to keep bluetooth off while you're not using it to conserve battery and protect yourself from attacks.

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